Transcription system



Dec. 14, 1943. CLAUSEN TRANSCRIPTION SYSTEM Filed Jun; 18, 1942oosvoatwn an: a um-max IN V EN TOR.

5 I? C/ausen QMJ- dQQ Patented Dec. 14, 1943 iCE 2,336,777 TRANSCRIPTIONSYSTEM Henry Peter Clausen. White Plains. N.

signor to The Gray Hartford, Conn., a c

Y.. as-

Manufacturing Company, orporation of Connecticut Application June 18,1942, Serial No. 447,539 Claims. (01. 179-100.2)

This invention relates to improvements in sound transcription systems ofthe type commonly employed for converting recorded dictated matter intoaudible sounds for use particularly in the typing thereof.

One object of this invention is to provide a system employing a soundreproducing machine and a sound recordingand reproducing monitoringmachine operating in conjunction therewith so thatwhen the soundreproducing machine is stopped in the event the transcriber runs behind,the monitoring machine will automatically reproduce a predeterminedamount of the record reproduced from the former machine immediatelyprior to the stopping thereof so that the transcriber will have arepetition of recorded matter which will permit her to catch up.

A further object of this invention is the provision in such a system ofmeans for applying a signal of a particular frequency to the monitoringmachine at the time the main machine is stopped which actuates a controldevice at the end of the reproduction from the monitoring machine forautomatically starting the main machine from the point where itpreviously had stopped,

A more specific object of the invention is the provision ofelectro-mechanical controls actuated by the starting and stoppingmechanism of the main machine for effecting the above and additionalfunctions.

Other and more detailed objects of this invention will be apparent fromthe following disclosure thereof in connection with the attacheddrawing.

This invention resides substantially in the combination, construction,arrangement and relative location of parts. all as will be fullydescribed hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawing the single figure is a schematic anddiagrammatic layout of the subject matter of this invention.

In the transcription of dictation records, it frequently happens thatthe transcriber, for one reason or another, falls behind the reproducingmachine in her typing or transcribing of the matter recorded thereon. Inthat event with some machines it is necessary to stop them and readjustthem so as to repeat the recorded matter a sufiicient distance back sothat the transcriber may pick up the thread of dictation. This is acumbersome time consuming operation which greatly interferes witheflicient transcription.

In accordance with this invention, the main reproducing machine isassociated with an auxiliary monitoring machine capable of temporarilyrecording the dictation reproduced from the main machine and reproducingit when required. The reproduction from the temporary record is arranged to lag that of the main reproduction and the monitoring machineis interconnected with the starting and stopping mechanism of the mainmachine so that when it is stopped, matter previously reproduced by themain machine is again reproduced by the monitoring machine. As a furtherrefinement of this invention, means is provided for applying a signal ofa particular frequency upon the temporary record at the time the mainmachine is stopped which signal is used to actuate an automatic controlfor again starting the main machine at the end of the reproduction fromthe monitoring machine.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the main recording machineillustrated is of a particular type such as that illustrated in UnitedStates Patent No. 2,296,870, issued September 29, 1942. It will be atonce apparent to those skilled in the art, however, as the descriptionproceeds that the combination of the invention is independent of theparticular type of main reproducing machine. The machine illustrated inpart here, but in full in said patent, includes a carriage I which iscapable of rectilinear motion along a suitable support. Journalled onthe carriage is a vertical spindle 2 upon which the record 3 containingthe dictation to be transcribed is mounted and to which it is keyed forrotation therewith. The record 3 may be a rigid self-supporting recordof Wax, metal and the like or it may be of thin flexible material suchas cellulose acetate. Mounted on the spindle i is a worm 4 which mesheswith the threads of a shaft 5 journalled on the carriage I for rotationthereon and for axial movement with the carriage. The threaded shaft 5is engageable by a. fixed nut 6 so that as the shaft revolves it iscaused to slowly progress in an axial direction. The operation of theseparts is accomplished by means of a power driven friction drive roller 7engaging the under surface of the record 3. The roller 1 cooperates withan idle roller amounted on a lever l0 pivotally mounted at H. When thelever IO as shown, the record 3 is stationary even though the drivewheel 1 is revolving. In order to set the reproducing machine inoperation, lever H3 is swung down so that the idle roller 8 frictionallyclamps the record 3 against the revolving roller 1. The result is thatthe record 3 is caused to revolve carrying with it spindle 2 and worm 4.The rotation of the worm causes the shaft 5 to is in raised position ordat its innermost point.

revolve with the result that the carriage progresses as mentioned above.In the complete machine, nut 6 may be raised so that the carriage can beslid to the extreme right whereupon the stylus of the reproducing head 9engages the rec- As reproduction progresses the record 3, whilerevolving, moves radially to the left so that at the end of thereproduction the stylus of the reproducing head is at the periphery ofthe record. The reproducing head 9 may be of any suitable type, such aselectromagnet or the piezo electric crystal type.

At I2 is the starting and stopping control switch for the mainreproducing machine, the fixed contact of which is grounded as shown.Its movable contact is connected by a wire I3 to one terminal of a slowrelease relay I4, the other terminal of which is connected to a suitablygrounded current source. A switch I5 forms part of this relay and hasits movable contact grounded as shown. Its fixed contact is connected bya wire I6 to the lever I0. When the lever is in raised position, asshown, it engages a fixed contact I! which is connected by a wire I8 toone terminal of a magnet I9 which when energized draws the lever I9downward so that its roller 8 engages the record 3. In actual use theaxis of lever I9 will be at right angles to the paper so that the axisof roller 8 is parallel to the axis of roller I as shown. The lever II]has been swung around, however, for simplicity in the diagrammaticillustration of the drawing. The other terminal of magnet I9 isconnected to a suitably grounded current source. Lever I0 is so mountedand constructed that upon operation to either position it will remainthere until operated to its other po-. sition.

At 29 is diagrammatically illustrated the auxiliary monitoring machinewhich is preferably and therefore illustrated as of the magnetic wire ortape type. It includes a pair of pulleys 2! and 22 mounted for rotationby a suitable power source, not shown. An endless wire or tape 23 ofmagnetic material passes around these pulleys and is driven as a belt.Machines of this type are known in various forms and full detail hereinis not necessary therefore. One terminal of a recording head 24 isgrounded and the other terminal is connected by a wire to the movablecontact of a switch 25. by a wire 21 which connects to the outputcircuit wire 28 of a suitable amplifier 39 which in turn is connected toa grounded head phone or other sound reproducing device 29. Theamplifier is preferably of the vacuum tube type, many suitable forms ofwhich are well known. The input terminal of the amplifier 39 is:connected by a wire 3| to the movable contact of a switch 32 mountedupon an operating member 34 which is pivotally connected at 35 to thelever II). The lower fixed contact of switch 32 is connected by a wire36 to one terminal of the grounded repro ducing head 3'! of theauxiliary or monitoring machine. The upper fixed contact of switch isconnected by wire 33 to the grounded recording head 9.

The movable contact of switch 38, mounted on the operator 34, isconnected to a grounded source of energy 39 for supplying a neutralizingcurrent through wire 49 to the ground wipeout device II associated withthe wire 23. Another switch 42 is provided having its movable contactmounted on the operator 34 and grounded as shown. The fixed contact ofthis switch is connected by a wire 43 to a slow release solenoid 26 theIts fixed contact is connected other terminal of which is connected to asuitable grounded current source. The plunger 44 of this solenoidoperates the movable member of switch 25. On its upper end is pivotallymounted a small bellcrank lever 44 positioned to close a switch 46 in amanner to be described. The fixed contact of this switch is connected bywire 41 to the wire 3|. A suitably grounded source of alternatingcurrent I9 is connected to the movable contact of switch 46. Whensolenoid 26 is energized the plunger 44 moves upwardly but the bellcrankdoes not close switch 46 because it may pivot on the switch 24. When thesolenoid 2B is deenergized its plunger descends slowly and at the properpoint in its descent switch 46 is momentarily closed so that the signalsource I0 is connected momentarily to the input of the amplifier 30 fora purpose to be described later.

At 48 is a grounded pickup device associated with the tape 23 and tunedor adjusted so as to respond to a signal of a particular and lim tedfrequency. Th1s pickup device is connected to the input of anotheramplifier 49 which likewise may be and is preferably of the vacuum tubetype. The output of this amplifier is connected to the wire I3 as shown.

The operation of this transcription system will now be set forthindetail. The transcriber operator places the record 3 to be transcribedon the main machine and adjusts it so that the reproducing head 9 is atthe beginning of the record to be reproduced. The auxiliary machine 29is set in operation by energizing its drive motor and allowed to runcontinuously during normal use. The transcriber adjusts her head set 29and takes her position before a typewriter. When she is ready to starttranscribing she momentarily closes the start switch I2. This completesa circuit in the obvious manner to the slow release relay I4 whichcloses the switch I5. The closing of switch I5 energizes the solenoid I9in an obvious manner. Relay I4 is of the slow release type so that themagnet i9 will remain energized long enough to effect the downwardpositioning of lever III. This movement of lever I0 closes switches 38and 42 and closes switch 32 on its upper contact while breaking theconnecting circuit at its lower contact.

Since the record 3 is gripped between the rollers I and 8 (roller 1being revolved continuously by its motor) record 3 begins to revolve.

'The record thereon is converted by the reproducing head 9 intoelectrical currents which flow through wire 33, switch 92, the amplifier39 and wire 28 to the head set 29 so that the transcriber hears thereproduction of the record.

The closing of switch 42 previously energized solenoid 26 so that switch25 is closed and the bellcrank is above the movable contact of switch46. Thus the output of amplifier 39 is also delivered from wire 28through wire 2'! and switch 25 to the recorder 24. Thus the same recordwhich is being heard in the head set 29 is being recorded on the tape23. At this time switch 38 is also closed so that the neutralizingcurrent from the source 39 is supplied to the wipeout device 4| tocontinuously neutralize previously recorded matter on the tape 23 sothat the tape in reaching the recorder 24 is magnetically neutral.

Should the transcriber fall behind the reproduction of the main record.she may at any time and as required again momentarily close switch l2 toenergize relay l4 and close switch 15. The closing of switch nowcompletes a circuit through lever I El and the lower contact 52 to wire51 and the magnet 50. The energiZatiOn of this magnet raises lever it]so that the main record 3 stops immediately. As another result of themovement of lever l0. switches 42 and 38 open while switch 32 closes onits lower contact. The opening of switch 42 deenergizes solenoid 26 sothat its plunger slowly descends so as to first momentarily close switch46. The closing of switch 45 supplies a signal of particular frequencythrough wire 41 to the input of amplifier 30 which in turn impresses itthrough Wires 28 and 27 and switch to the recording head 24 by means ofwhich it is recorded on the tape 23. Just after the impression of thefrequency signal on tape 23 switch 25 opens as the result of the finaldescent of plunger 44. These parts are so timed that almost immediatelyupon the stopping of the recording on the tape 23 from the main mashinethe frequency signal is applied to the tape. The opening of switch 38has, of course, deenergized the wipeout device. The closing of switch 32on its lower contact causes the signal on the tape 23 to be picked up bythe reproducing head 3! and supplied to the input of amplifier so thatthe transcriber now hears again the reproduction of a predeterminedamount of the record last heard from the main record 3. The pickupdevice 3! may be positioned alon the tape 23.50 that the amount ofmatter repeated can be varied. The amount of this material isrepresented by that recorded on the portion of the wire extending fromthe recorder 24 to the pickup 37 at the moment of changing over. Theoperator may, therefore, pick up the reproduction at thepoint where shelost the thread and proceed with her transcription. At the end of thisre-reproduction, the portion of the tape 23 upon which the frequencysignal is impressed reaches the timed pickup device 48 supplying asignal to the input of amplifier 49 which is repeated from its input towire l3 so that relay I4 is operated to close switch IS. The closing ofswitch l5 starts the main reproducing machine in the manner previouslydescribed so that reproduction from the main record 3 begins again. Ofcourse, the shifting of switches 32, 38 and 42 set up circuits aspreviously described so that a temporary record is again made on themonitoring machine of the new reproduction. At the end Of thetranscription the momentary closing of switch l2 stops the main machineand if the operator is through for the time being the circuits for themotors driving the pulley I and the auxiliary machine may be opened.

From the above description it will be apparent to those skilled in theart that the subject matter of this invention may readily be embodied inother physical forms and I do not therefore desire to be strictlylimited to the disclosure given for purposes of illustration but ratherto the scope of protection afforded by the appended claims.

What is claimed is: 1. In a sound reproducing machine the combinationincluding a main machine for converting a permanent sound record intoaudible sounds, an auxiliary recording and reproducing machine, meansfor connectin the main machine to said auxiliary machine so as tocontinuously reproduce thereon the record from the main machine, meansfor reproducing the record from said auxiliary machine and means forsimultaneously stopping said main machine and rendering the reproducingmeans of said auxiliary machine operative.

2. In a system of the type described the combination comprising meansfor audibly reproducing a sound record from a permanent record tablet, acombined auxiliary sound recording and reproducing machine connected tosaid first machine whereby the record of the first machine iscontinuously recorded on the auxiliary machine during reproduction,means for starting and stopping said main machine and means actuatedsimultaneously therewith for reproducing the record on said auxiliarymachine.

3. In a system of the type described the combination comprising meansfor audibly reproducing a sound record from a permanent record tablet, acombined auxiliary soundrecording and reproducing machine connected tosaid first ma chine whereb the record of the first machine iscontinuously recorded on the auxiliary machine during reproduction,means for startin and stopping said main machine, means actuatedsimultaneously therewith for reproducing the record on said auxiliarymachine and means for applying a frequency signal to said auxiliarymachine upon the stopping of said main machine.

4. In a system of the type described the combination comprising meansfor audibly reproducing a sound record from a permanent record tablet, acombined auxiliary sound recording and reproducing machine connected tosaid first machine whereby the record of the first machin iscontinuously recorded on the auxiliary machine during reproduction,means for starting and stopping said main machine, means actuatedsimultaneously therewith for reproducing the record on said auxiliarymachine, means for applying a frequency signal to said auxiliary machineupon the stopping of said main machine and means actuated by thfrequency signal on said auxiliary machine for starting the operation ofsaid main machine upon completion of the reproduction from saidauxiliary machine.

5. In a system of the type described the com bination comprising meansfor converting a permanent sound record into audible sounds, means forstarting and stopping said first means. means for continuously recordingthe record of the main machine, means for audibly repr0duc ing therecord of the recording machine, and means actuated by said starting andstopping means for conditioning said recording and reproducing means forrecording and reproducing respectively.

6. In a system of the type. described the combination comprising meansfor converting a permanent sound record into audible sounds, means forstarting and stopping said first means, means for recording from therecord of the main machine, means for audibly reproducing the rerecordedrecord, means actuated by said starting and stopping means forconditioning said recording and reproducing means for recording uponstarting said first means and for conditioning said recording andreproducing means for reproducing immediately upon stopping of saidfirst means.

'7. In a system of the type described the com bination comprising meansfor converting a permanent sound record into audible sounds, means forstarting and stopping said first means, means for recording andreproducing the record of the main machine, means actuated by saidstarting and stopping means for conditioning said recording andreproducing means for recording and for conditioning said recording andreproducing means for reproducing immediately upon stopping of saidfirst means and means for applying a frequency signal to said recordingand reproducing means upon the stoppage of said first means.

8. In a system of the type described the combination comprising meansfor converting a permanent sound record into audible sounds, means forstarting and stopping said first means, means for recording andreproducing the record of the main machine, means actuated by saidstarting and stopping means for conditioning said recording andreproducing means for recording and for conditioning said recording andreproducing means for reproducing immediately upon stopping of saidfirst means and means for applying a frequency signal to said recordingand reproducing means upon the stoppage of said first means and meansactuated by said frequency signal for operating said starting means tostart said first means upon the completion of the reproduction of therecord on said recording and reproducing means.

9. In a transcription system the combination comprising means includinga pick-up device for converting a permanent record into electricalcurrents, a recording machine, an amplifier, means for starting andstopping said first means, a sound reproducing device and meansincluding circuits actuated by said starting and stopping means forconnecting said pick-up device to the input of said amplifier and saidrecording machine and said sound reproducing device to the output ofsaid amplifier whereby the record of said first means is simultaneouslyreproduced audibly and recorded on said recording machine, and meansalso controlled by said starting and stopping means for energizing thesound reproducing device from said recording machine through saidamplifier when said first means is stopped.

10. In a transcription system the combination comprising means includinga pick-up device for converting a permanent record into electricalcurrents, a recording machine, an amplifier, means for starting andstopping said first means, a sound reproducing device and meansincluding circuits actuated by said starting and stopping means forconnecting said pick-up device to the input of said amplifier and saidrecording machine and said sound reproducing device to the output ofsaid amplifier whereby the record of said first means is simultaneouslyreproduced audibly and recorded on said recording machine, means alsocontrolled by said starting and stopping means for energizing the soundreproducing device from said recording machine through said amplifierwhen said first means is stopped, means for applying a signal to saidrecording machine at the time of stopping said first means. and meanscontrolled by said signal for actuating said starting means to startsaid first means at the end of the recording on said recording machine.

HENRY PETER CLAUSEN.

